A two stage rotary compressor is disclosed and includes first and second cylinders (38,40) separated by an intermediate partition plate (36) and first and second compressing elements (42,44) disposed in the first and second cylinders (38,40) respectfully, the compressing elements (42,44) being formed on a rotary shaft (16) spaced from each other by a portion of the shaft (90) that extends through an aperture (36a) in the intermediate partition plate (36). The portion (90) of the shaft (16) between the compressing elements (42,44) has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross sectional area of the remainder of the shaft (16).